Driving a small hybrid car means you’re almost never envied by those in bigger executive models.

I say ‘almost’ for a reason.

Last week was one of those very rare occasions when I had the upper hand by being in the Honda Jazz.
On the way to an event at a hotel deep in the English countryside the road was not much wider than a footpath.

And it was apparent that the road builders had scrimped on passing places. The only place to pull over was on a small slope right into the hedgerow.

While I drove along unconcerned about the lack of space a driver on his way to the same event was breaking into a sweat.

He was in a Bentley.

Although he made it to the event unscathed (luckily for him and the Bentley there was no oncoming traffic) I couldn’t help feeling smug that I’d had the stress-free journey.

And it’s not only on English country lanes where it pays to be in a supermini.

In urban areas I’m also grateful for the Jazz.

With no off-road parking at my flat there have plenty of occasions where I’ve had to squeeze into a spot on my street.

There have also been times when I’ve feared being blocked in but the Jazz’s manoeuvrability has saved me.

It pays to be sat in a Jazz when coasting towards traffic lights too. Being a ‘mild’ hybrid that’s when the Jazz’s petrol engine will temporarily shut down and you benefit from the electric motor.

But there is one environment where I’m envious of larger, more powerful models. And that’s out on the motorway when the Jazz could do with a tad more horsepower.